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Multiple Choice
What is one structural difference between RNA and DNA?
A
RNA is more stable than DNA under alkaline conditions.
B
RNA is double-stranded, while DNA is single-stranded.
C
RNA contains ribose sugar, while DNA contains deoxyribose sugar.
D
RNA contains thymine, while DNA contains uracil.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the key structural components of both RNA and DNA. RNA and DNA are nucleic acids composed of nucleotides, which include a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
Understand the sugar component in each nucleic acid. RNA contains ribose sugar, which has a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the 2' carbon of the sugar ring. DNA contains deoxyribose sugar, which lacks the hydroxyl group at the 2' carbon, having only a hydrogen atom instead.
Recognize the impact of the sugar difference. The presence of the hydroxyl group in ribose makes RNA more reactive and less stable compared to DNA, which is more stable due to the absence of this group.
Differentiate between the nitrogenous bases in RNA and DNA. RNA contains the bases adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and uracil (U), while DNA contains adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T).
Conclude that the primary structural difference between RNA and DNA is the type of sugar present: RNA contains ribose, while DNA contains deoxyribose.